Vision of Metrolink Stations and

Service

Jack R. Widmeyer Transportation Research Conference

Francisco Oaxaca

Metrolink

November 6, 2009

Metrolink

• Joint powers authority formed to operate

commuter rail service in So. Calif. beginning

in late 1992

• Provides service in 6 counties on nearly 400

miles of track to 55 stations

• Only operates train service

• Does not own stations or parking lots

Basic Challenges

• Land use decisions for station locations

driven by location of available rail corridor

and property

• Metrolink only operates a single mode

• Most station locations are not in ideal

locations for TOD – in many cases major

redevelopment would need to take place

• Metrolink role has been defined to not include

influencer of land use decisions

Metrolink’s Vision

• Station is an opportunity to enhance the local

community

– Residential

– Retail

– Commercial/business

– Passenger amenities

• Child care centers

• Cities should leverage having a station as

much as possible

Village Green - Sylmar

• A 186-unit project adjacent to the Sylmar/San

Fernando Metrolink multimodal transit station.

• Completed at the end of 1998 and offered homes

starting at $160,000.

• Homes combined proximity to public transit with

energy efficiency and sustainability features

• Metrolink worked with developer to offer buyer

incentives to try commuter train service

– Free rides to try service

– Buyers received up to two monthly passes

Village Green - Sylmar

• Also includes a

child care center

• 10% of buyers

became

Metrolink

commuters – 3%

was original

estimate

Child Care in the Community

• Where parents live– Co-locating in/near housing, community/reccenters, schools

• Where parents work

• On commute route between…– at transit and convenient to major corridors

Kids Station - Montclair

Chatsworth Station Child Care

Center

Ongoing Programs

• New Resident Program

– Targeted direct mail to new residents –buyers or

renters in selected areas near Metrolink stations

– Mailings include offers to try Metrolink service for

free for a short time

– Response rate roughly 3-4 times average for

similar direct mail campaigns

Ongoing Programs

• Developer Program

– Trial incentives to potential buyers

– Buyer reward incentives

• Monthly passes jointly provided by developer and

Metrolink to new homeowner

– The Olson Company

• Founders Walk in Buena Park

• Depot Walk in Orange

• SOCO Walk in Fullerton

The Future?

• Transit Village Concept

– Pedestrian friendly districts with frequent public

transit, taller buildings and a mix of commercial

and residential uses. • Lancaster

• Corona

• Fontana

• San Bernardino

• Perris

• Riverside

• Santa Clarita

• Buena Park